Sleek and Efficient Algae Cleaners

The Chopstick Snail (Stenomelania torulosa) is a uniquely shaped freshwater snail named for its long, tapered shell that resembles—you guessed it—chopsticks! Native to Southeast Asia, this striking and underrated species is a fantastic addition to planted tanks and community aquariums thanks to its gentle nature, intriguing behavior, and usefulness as a natural tank cleaner.

Chopstick Snails are peaceful, nocturnal scavengers that help maintain a clean tank by eating algae, biofilm, detritus, and leftover food. Their long, spiral shells can range from dark brown to nearly black, with subtle banding in some individuals. Unlike many other snails, they prefer burrowing and gliding across surfaces rather than climbing the glass, making them excellent substrate sifters and algae grazers for the tank floor.

What We Love About Chopstick Snails:

• Elegant Shell Shape: Long, narrow, and beautifully spiral—adds visual interest without overwhelming your aquascape
• Low Bioload: Won’t foul your water or overpopulate
• Peaceful Nature: Safe with shrimp, fish, and plants
• Algae-Eating Machine: Great at keeping substrate and surfaces tidy

Aquascaping:

Chopstick Snails thrive in well-structured tanks with soft substrate and plenty of cover.
• Plants: Ideal with Java Fern, Anubias, Cryptocoryne, and mosses like Java Moss or Christmas Moss
• Hardscape: Rounded river stones, smooth driftwood, and shaded crevices create perfect zones for burrowing and scavenging
• Botanicals: Indian Almond Leaves, Catappa Bark, and alder cones provide tannins and added biofilm grazing areas. Aquatic Arts Botanical Combo Packs are a great way to explore all the different leaves these snails really enjoy.

Diet & Feeding:

Chopstick Snails are not picky. They’ll feed on algae, biofilm, detritus, uneaten food, and decaying plant matter. For supplemental feeding, we recommend:
• Aquatic Arts Algae Wafers – protein- and veggie-rich wafers that help promote healthy growth and shell strength
• Kat Aquatic Calcium Chips – an excellent source of calcium to support shell development
• Blanched vegetables (like zucchini or spinach) and shrimp pellets can also be added as occasional treats

Tank Mates & Compatibility:

Chopstick Snails are ideal companions for peaceful shrimp and fish. Avoid housing them with aggressive or predatory species like puffers, loaches, or large cichlids that may try to eat or harass them. They coexist well in shrimp colonies and planted tanks.

Shrimp Safe:

✅ Yes – 100% shrimp safe! These snails won’t harm shrimp or their young and often help create a cleaner, more stable environment for them.

Breeding:

Chopstick Snails are livebearers, but unlike some other snails, they reproduce very slowly in freshwater. Females give birth to fully formed miniature snails. While breeding is possible, you won’t experience population booms, making them a sustainable choice for most tanks.

Recommended Tank Parameters:

• Temperature: 72° – 82° F (22° – 28° C)
• pH: 7.0 – 8.2
• KH: 2 – 15 dKH
• Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons

Care Guidelines:

• Diet: Algae, detritus, biofilm, and supplemental food like Algae Wafers and Calcium Chips
• Behavior: Peaceful, nocturnal scavenger
• Origin: Wild-collected 
• Average Adult Size: 1.5 – 2.5 inches (3.8 – 6.4 cm)
• Average Purchase Size: 1 – 1.75 inches (2.5 – 4.5 cm)

Bring function and subtle beauty to your aquarium with the Chopstick Snail—an underappreciated gem that works hard behind the scenes and makes an excellent addition to your cleanup crew!

Live Arrival Guarantee:

All Aquatic Arts animals come with a 100% Live Arrival Guarantee, plus free email support from our expert team!